The Axios network quoted American sources as saying that American special forces succeeded in rescuing the second crew member of an F-15 plane that was shot down over Iranian territory, after a complex search and rescue operation carried out on Friday and Saturday. The sources explained that the operation was carried out by a specialized commando unit, supported by heavy air coverage, confirming that all American forces returned safely after completing the mission. She indicated that American forces entered Iran as part of a search and rescue mission to locate the missing pilot, at a time when the Iranian Revolutionary Guard tried to reach and prevent him. The sources said that US Air Force planes launched raids on Iranian forces to prevent them from approaching the pilot’s location, noting that the operation witnessed a large exchange of fire. In the same context, the Wall Street Journal quoted American officials as saying that all forces participating in the rescue operation left Iranian airspace safely. In turn, Fox News reported that the crew member hid on a high peak after walking away from the wreckage of the plane and activating an emergency distress signal. The New York Times also noted that the operation used hundreds of special operations forces, and dozens of warplanes and helicopters, in one of the most difficult rescue missions in the history of American special operations. A military official told the newspaper: “The rescue mission was one of the most challenging and complex missions in the history of special operations.” A source explained that the pilot used secure, highly encrypted communication devices to coordinate with commando teams during the operation. The sources revealed that two American transport planes crashed inside a remote base in Iran while carrying out the mission, noting that the two planes were blown up inside Iranian territory to prevent their seizure. The newspaper added that American attack aircraft fired bombs and fire at Iranian convoys to keep them away from the area where the pilot was hiding, noting that an armed clash broke out when American forces approached him. US President Donald Trump, in his first comment on the operation, confirmed that the US military carried out “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in the history of the United States,” adding: “We sent dozens of planes armed with the most lethal weapons in the world to recover one of our crew officers, who was behind enemy lines in the rugged mountains of Iran, where he was being pursued by our enemies.” He pointed out that one of the crew members was injured but will remain fine, and that the rescued officer holds the rank of colonel, and is now safe and sound after a chase in the Iranian mountains. He added: "This is the first time in military memory that two American pilots have been rescued separately deep in enemy territory, which once again proves our air superiority and dominance in Iranian airspace." On the other hand, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that it shot down an American drone south of Isfahan that was helping in the search for the missing pilot.